News

2012-06-01 12:45:14.617

Moberly Woman Locates $100,000 Word

A Moberly woman who likes to play Missouri Lottery crossword games is $100,000 richer. Denise Johnson, 60, said she likes to play bingo and crossword games because they take a while to play. She bought a “$100,000 Crossword” ticket at Break Time, 2402 Paris Road, while accompanying her “better half” on a visit to the doctor in Columbia. Her partner, Lawrence Dixon, has been battling cancer for 16 years.

“We stopped and got gas and sodas, and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll buy a Lottery ticket.’ I came out and he said, ‘You bought a Lottery ticket.’ I said, ‘Yeah, and we’re going to win real big on this one,’” she predicted.

Little did she know her statement would come true. She tucked the ticket into her purse and scratched it later at home in Moberly.

“I scratched, and I counted 10 words, and I looked,” recalled Johnson. “I thought, ‘Nah, that’s not right.’ I counted them again – came up with 10 words. So I wrote them down.”

Still disbelieving, Johnson called her daughter and said, “Get over here, now!”

When her daughter arrived and asked what was wrong, Johnson had her count the words.

“I looked at her and started crying, and I said, ‘I just won $100,000!’” she recounted.

The only plans for the windfall include upgrading her vehicle.

“It’s still like a dream,” said Johnson.

She said she’ll continue to play crossword and bingo games.

“Just keep playing, because I never thought I would hit this,” suggested Johnson. “Dreams do come true.”

“$100,000 Crossword” is a $5 game that officially began Dec. 16, 2011. Johnson claimed the fifth and final top prize in the game.